Freeze-dried coffee: when is it an option?
If, due to unexpected life circumstances, you one day find yourself facing an emergency and needing coffee, but all you can find is instant coffee… then, and only then, will you need to know the difference between freeze-dried coffee and 'regular' or spray-dried instant coffee.
There's nothing like fresh, seasonal coffee, carefully roasted and freshly ground . And we highly doubt that's going to change anytime soon. But if the circumstances mentioned above were to occur (a catastrophe of considerable proportions), then you might need to drink coffee, and this information could be helpful.
What is freeze-dried coffee?
Freeze-dried coffee is a type of instant coffee produced through a process called freeze-drying . This process involves freezing the liquid coffee extract and then removing the water through sublimation. That is, applying temperatures that cause the liquid to transform directly from a solid into a gas.
This allows the flavors and aromas of the coffee to be preserved without them being lost during processing, as is largely the case with spray-dried or regular instant coffee.
In general, freeze-dried coffee is considered a higher-quality product . It has a strong flavor and intense aroma. It also lasts longer than regular instant coffee, as it can be stored longer without losing its properties.
What is the difference between spray-dried instant coffee (normal) and freeze-dried coffee?
The main difference between regular instant coffee and freeze-dried coffee is the production process. Spray-dried instant coffee is produced through an evaporation process , which involves removing water from the liquid coffee extract.
That is, a large-scale coffee extraction is performed, and then the water is evaporated by applying heat. This can cause the loss of many of the coffee's natural flavors and aromas.
Freeze-dried coffee, on the other hand, is produced through a freeze-drying process. The principle is similar, but the process is different. A coffee extract is extracted and frozen, then freeze-dried. As we mentioned, the water changes from a liquid to a gaseous state directly.
Since there is no dehydration due to heat application, this process allows the natural flavors and aromas of the coffee to be better preserved naturally.
Another difference between regular instant coffee and freeze-dried instant coffee is shelf life. Spray-dried instant coffee has a shorter shelf life than freeze-dried coffee. Regular instant coffee should be stored in a cool, dry place and consumed before the expiration date indicated on the packaging. Freeze-dried coffee, on the other hand, can be stored longer, even at room temperature.
Is freeze-dried coffee good?
Let's start from the premise that, to date , no process has been developed that can maintain the full organoleptic complexity of a cup of specialty coffee.
Freeze-dried coffee is a process that helps maintain more aroma and flavor qualities than spray-dried instant coffee, but there's still a lot that's lost along the way.
On the other hand, the quality of freeze-dried coffee will depend on the quality of the coffee it's made with . If you start with a fresh, well-roasted specialty coffee, brew it properly, and then freeze-dry it, although it will inevitably lose some qualities, it doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad coffee. This is what is known as freeze-dried specialty coffee or specialty instant coffee.
Unfortunately, this is often not the case. Even if Arabica coffees are used, they are usually not seasonal or specialty coffees, as this would make the product more expensive.
For spray-dried instant coffees, robusta is often used to further reduce costs, resulting in a strong and bitter final product, lacking any complexity or notes.
How do you know if a coffee is freeze-dried or spray-dried?
There are several ways to tell if a coffee is freeze-dried. One way is to read the product label. If the product says it's made with freeze-dried coffee, then it's freeze-dried.
Another way to tell if a coffee is freeze-dried is to look at the product's appearance. Freeze-dried coffee is usually dark brown and has a grainy appearance. Regular instant coffee, on the other hand, is usually light brown and has a more powdery appearance.
What advantages does freeze-dried coffee have over spray-dried coffee?
As we've mentioned, freeze-dried coffee offers several advantages over regular instant coffee. These advantages include:
- Flavor and aroma : Freeze-dried instant coffee has a more complex and rich flavor and aroma than regular instant coffee. This is because the freeze-drying process preserves the coffee's natural flavors and aromas.
- Shelf Life : Freeze-dried instant coffee has a longer shelf life than regular instant coffee. Freeze-dried coffee can be stored longer, even at room temperature.
- Convenience : Freeze-dried coffee is easier to prepare, it can be prepared anywhere even with cold water.
Our recommendation
If you're preparing for the end of the world and stocking up on caffeine and have to choose between several types of instant coffee, then you already know you have to choose freeze-dried coffee.
In any other situation, we always recommend that you choose to buy specialty coffee beans and grind them before preparing them; this is the way to best preserve all of their qualities.
Of course, in circumstances where survival is paramount, coffee may not be your priority.
Ours will continue to be so.
